WHERE TO FIND AVAILABLE RENTAL UNITS
There are many places to find available rental listings. Below are several online resources, which often provide the most current listings:
While online rental listings are usually legitimate, it is important to confirm that the property is owned by the person and/or company that wants to rent it to you before you sign a lease or pay rent.
Another good way to identify available rental properties is to take a trip through the area you want to live and look for “FOR RENT” yard signs.
To avoid getting scammed, tenants can check online tax and property records to confirm that the individual offering the property to them is the actual owner. If the potential landlord is someone different than the owner, the tenant may want to speak to the owner to confirm that the property manager is employed by the owner to lease the property.
LOOKING AT THE PROPERTY
Careful inspection of the rental unit prior to signing a rental agreement is the best way for landlords and renters to document its condition. Renters should carefully inspect the rental unit that is offered for rent with the landlord or landlord’s agent before they decide to sign a rental agreement to ensure the rental unit meets basic habitability standards. A move-in/move-out checklist can be a helpful tool to document the conditions of the unit if you decide to sign a lease or rental agreement and move into the unit.
When you are viewing a property (before applying and/or signing a lease) here several tips:
- Inspect everything to make sure it works (i.e., windows & locks, doors close tightly, etc.)
- Make notes of any damage to the unit, appliances, and/or furniture (if furnished) prior to moving in. Submit a written, dated repair request with your landlord if you decide to move in.
- Take pictures of the entire property before you move your personal belongings in, and keep these pictures in a safe location, in either digital or paper copy.
- Ask about repairs you think are needed. Generally, it is easier for landlords to make repairs before a tenant moves their belongings into the property.
When touring the rental with the landlord or property manager, the renter will have the chance to see how the potential landlord reacts to any concerns about the condition of the rental and other problems. While renters and landlords may not be able to reach agreement on every concern, how the renter and landlord get along will help both to decide if it is right to rent the unit.
Renters may want to consider the following when touring rental units:
- Cracks or holes in the floor, walls, or ceiling
- Leaks in the bathroom or kitchen fixtures
- Lack of hot water
- Low water pressure
- Toilets not flushing properly
- Damaged / inoperable plumbing fixtures
- Inadequate or damaged lighting
- Insufficient or damaged outlets
- Inadequate heating
- Mold or mildew
- Accumulated dirt and debris in and around the outside of
the unit
- Inadequate trash and garbage receptacles
- Signs of deteriorating, chipping, or damaged paint surfaces
- Turn on appliances, lights, faucets, heaters, fans, etc. to ensure
they are in good working order
If the renter or landlord finds problems, both should discuss them. If the problems are ones that the law requires the landlord to repair, find out when the landlord intends to make the repairs. If, on the other hand, the landlord is not required by law to make the repairs, the renter should still write down a description of any problems and document them on a move-in/move-out checklist.
